Riding Elevators Backwards: The Aspiring Leader's Field Guide to Building Relationships - Hardcover

J. Larry Stevens

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0988388502 ISBN 13: 9780988388505

Publisher: Black Veil Press, LLC, 2013

Synopsis

In a business environment where communications are increasingly dominated by the anonymity of emails, and relationships defined by the quantity of friends or connections possessed through social or business databases, Riding Elevators Backwards is a refreshing look at the fundamentals of relationship building. Larry Stevens has created a field guide for young professionals and aspiring leaders who want to expand their influence beyond superficial acquaintances and build deeper and more impactful relationships, both personally and professionally. From assessing the quality of your current relationships to developing techniques for meeting new people, communicating with clarity and alacrity, and building confidence that translates into trust and value, Riding Elevators Backwards is a virtual how-to manual for building genuine relationships that will lead to more sales, more contracts, and more influence with clients, customers, employees, and peers. In clear, conversational language and based on the concept of mutual trust, value, and chemistry, Stevens teaches you proven techniques for building relationships including: Using the rule of three to inspire confidence, Developing a smelly reputation that will make you memorable, Creating a reading strategy that will allow you to talk intelligently with any CEO in America and, Becoming a shape shifter to help you relate to multiple personalities. Riding Elevators Backwards will radically change your approach to relationships, and will challenge you to transcend the boundaries of social networks and technology-based communications and step boldly into real and metaphorical elevators where people and relationships are waiting just for you.

About this title

About the Author:

J. LARRY STEVENS, a partner in the international accounting firm, PwC (retired), is Executive-in-Residence and Visiting Professor at Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business where, as a member of the School of Accountancy faculty, he teaches courses in mergers and acquisitions and accounting. He is also founder and Co-Director of the Coles College M&A Academy, which provides executive education in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Stevens lives in Marietta, Georgia, with his wife Lynn Stevens, a practicing attorney. He is currently working on his next book, Curiosity Killed the Cat and Other Myths: The Aspiring Leader s Playbook for Building Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Review:

This book stands above all the others written on the topic of support networks in business and personal endeavors; a true 'how to' guide for optimizing competitive advantage through relationships. The many thoughts and anecdotes served to reinforce so many things I have learned from my own experiences, while giving me the gift of others that will now become part of my repertoire. --Dr. Michael S. Salvador, Ph.D., Director, Execuitve Education Programs, Kennesaw State University & Partner, Ernst & Young (Retired)

This book is truly wonderful. I wish I had had it 40 years ago. Trust, value and chemistry are the keys to success in all relationships. Every young professional should read it, but it should also be required reading for those who have been around a while. So much has changed in communication and this book is totally up to date. It is an easy to read informative book on making profitable relationships in business and in life. It is told with humor and true life examples. It will help all of us better at developing business and at life. As I read, I thought; Why did I not think of that? --Adele Grubbs, Georgia Superior Court Judge

This book is amazing. Larry writes in a narrative conversational way that makes this book an easy read. He talks about the business relationship in great depth, but yet concise. A must read. --Michael J. Coles, Great American Cookie Company, founder & former CEO

About this edition

• Publisher: Black Veil Press, LLC
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0988388502
• ISBN 13: 9780988388505
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 266